Tougher age ratings for films depicting rape

Concern at children being exposed to sexual violence prompts censor to tighten UK’S classification system

A CRACKDOWN on sexual violence in films has been announced by Britain’s chief censor with tougher age ratings for depictions of rape.

In the biggest shake-up of the classification system for a decade, no depictions of rape will be allowed in any films for under-15s. Tighter rules drawn up by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will also restrict graphic sexual violence, rape and pornographic language to films for over-18s.

The changes, which take effect next month, come after the BBFC’S fiveyearly survey of public attitudes revealed growing alarm at children’s exposure to sex and violence, particularly from online platforms. “Sexual violence emerged as the classification issue in 2018,” said the BBFC report.

More than nine in 10 of the 10,000 parents and teenagers surveyed also want BBFC age ratings extended to content on online channels such as Youtube, Amazon and Netflix to protect children. For the first time, teachers were surveyed and they warned that young children were mimicking the sexual and violent behaviour they saw online in the classroom and playground.

David Austin, the BBFC’S chief executive, said the public were concerned that “children’s innocence is under threat” and at the growing “pornification of society”.

“Teachers are saying children are not only anxious and upset from their viewing, but also saying and doing things that are not age appropriate because of what they have seen online,” he said. “Parents are concerned about the lack of guidance on Youtube around suitability and age appropriateness.” Some 86 per cent of parents and teenagers cited violence, including sexual violence, as their biggest concern, followed by sexual content (48 per cent) and pornographic language (34 per cent). BBFC focus groups said the 12 rating for Keira Knightley’s The Duchess should have been 15 because of a rape scene.

The BBFC has also revised its guidelines on sexual violence. These will require an 18 classification if scenes involve a “gang dynamic”, the victim being “overpowered”, a credible “real world” setting, a protracted build-up of the sexual threat, prolonged depiction of sex or an emphasis on nudity. The use of crude pornographic language will see films raised from a 15 to 18.